Development of dual-phase contrast-enhanced dual-energy computed tomography

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17285
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Osaka International Cancer Institute
• Principal Investigator: Ohira Shingo 地方独立行政法人大阪府立病院機構大阪国際がんセンター(研究所), その他部局等, 放射線腫瘍科技師 (50792694)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: Dual energy CT / pancreatic cancer / liver cancer / radiotherapy / functional image / VMI

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) was applied for pancreatic and liver cancer radiotherapy. The virtual monochromatic images derived from DECT improved the image quality for target delineation. Moreover, the iodine density map could serve as the functional image, and the functional image based volumetric modulated radiotherapy formed a new treatment approach. The dual-phase four-dimensional DECT could evaluate the magnitude of respiratory motion at different phases. We believe that these results contribute for reducing radiation induced side effect and improving treatment outcome for patients with pancreatic and liver cancers.

Free Research Field

医学物理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

DECTの放射線治療への応用は未だほとんど探求されていない領域である。難治性癌の代表格である膵臓癌・肝臓癌に対して、DECTは腫瘍の描出能を向上し、機能画像に基づいた新たな治療計画を可能とした。これらの成果に加え、多時相四次元CTはこれまで報告がなく、学術的意義は大きい。さらに、本研究の成果は膵臓癌・肝臓癌の放射線治療において、有害事象の低減・治療成績向上に寄与できる可能性があるため社会的意義は大きい。